J.D. Whitney (1819-1896) was appointed state geologist of California in 1860, following a number of geological surveys in both the East and Midwest. His survey of California and work on Yosemite are perhaps his best known publications, though his work on precious metals is also important both for its content and its impact on the public's awareness of resources in the West. The highest mountain in the contiguous 48 states is named in his honor. He was one of the nineteenth century's foremost geologists, and had a distinguished career as at Harvard University. He was a founding member of the National Academy of Sciences.